Angieville

Teenage Sherlock Holmes, Watson is a girl, and the story is told from her perspective. This is essentially all the information I needed in order to make the decision to dive into Every Breath at the earliest opportunity. But in case you're wavering, it's also fun to know that this is Australian author Ellie Marney 's debut novel, that it is a YA contemporary mystery, and the first in a series to boot. Next up, I think we should just take a moment to talk covers. I have yet to purchase my own copy (that's earmarked for the next paycheck), but both the US (seen here) and Aussie covers have a lot going for them. The Aussie one gets tons of points for having Watts actually on the cover, for one thing. But in a very rare move, I'm leaning US if only because it's not a photo of actual people (never works out well for me) and because, well, his throat. Also his hair and his entire posture. But his throat. That's Mycroft. I love him this cover. Rachel Watts...

I started a Meredith Duran book some time ago and stalled out early on for reasons I can no longer quite remember. I know it wasn't the writing, which definitely struck me as adept. I think it was more to do with the setting and I not clicking. Also the sense I was getting that the characters were going to hurt each other—possibly at some length—before they found any middle ground. Either way, I wasn't up for it at the time. And then I'm fairly certain I went on to mix Ms. Duran up with Tessa Dare and forgot to return after trying and sort of spectacularly failing to engage with Dare's Spindle's Cove series. Which is why I'm very glad Fool Me Twice was brought to my attention a few days ago. It jogged my memory and I remembered I'd always meant to go back and investigate Duran's work further to see if there might be a better fit among her backlist. As it turns out, her most recent novel and I were destined to get on in spades. Olivia Mather has set...

This Choose Your Own Edition comes to you via my thus far failed attempts to foist a copy of  The Ruby in the Smoke   off on my friend Beth. The Sally Lockhart series is my favorite of Pullman's work, and I am just so eager for her to read that first incomparable line. My own copy is currently on loan in a different city and won't be returning soon. I did run across an older library copy for sale with a somewhat dismaying pale blue 90s cover and naturally turned my nose up at it (I did go back later but it was gone, naturally). Full disclosure: I am such a snob sometimes about the  cover  that accompanies someone's first impression of a book I love. Honestly, someone needs to beat it out of me. It's the reason I own three editions of  Sunshine  and yet only ever loan out one (my favorite first edition), so that new readers come into the experience with the right (IMHO) packaging.  SIGH .  In any event, with no copies ready to hand, I've bee...

First review of the year, guys. I hereby promise you I chose a  good one. In fact, I really feel as though I have exercised great restraint in waiting this long to review it. Due out in just under two weeks now, I decided I could wait no longer. It's not that I haven't made my feelings about Liza Palmer 's books abundantly clear, because I know that I have. It's that her latest novel— Girl Before a Mirror —is so good it's giving her others a run for their money as my favorite (and I honestly didn't think my love for Nowhere But Home could be surpassed). So good I've already reread it once and am fending off a second reread even as I type this. There are other books out there, and they all deserve a chance. I know this, and I feel their call keenly. But. I had supreme difficulty letting go of this one, and I can see myself diving back in regularly and indefinitely just to spend time with these characters again and to experience Anna's hilarious and t...

The first pretties post of the year! And really, these three definitely live up to the name. They are also new to me. I've never read anything by any of these authors, which thought fills me with hope. Have you? If so, do tell me about their words and how they use them. Between the Notes by Sharon Huss Roat A young pianist whose family's reduced circumstances force a move to the wrong side of town decides to try to hide the truth from her new associates (including the boy at school and the boy next door). I think we can all guess how well that goes. That cover, though. Also pianist. Due out June 16th Made You Up by Francesca Zappia Schizophrenic protagonist who is dead set on surviving her illness and making it to college with the help of her little sister, her camera, and a Magic 8 ball. Also, possibly (hopefully), a boy named Miles. I love everything about that cover and setup. Due out May 19th The Improbable Theory of Ana & Zak by Brian Katcher Two teens ...

I'm so lucky to have discovered Rose Lerner 's books just over four years ago now in the form of her debut novel In for a Penny . Since then, I have eagerly anticipated each of her releases. And today I'm so pleased to be a part of the blog tour for her upcoming release True Pretenses . I had the good fortune to read an early copy for review and I can tell you it's giving A Lily Among Thorns a run for its money as my favorite of all Rose's books! No small feat, that. If you're new to the series, be sure to check out the first Lively St. Lemeston book — Sweet Disorder —which is currently on sale for just 99 cents! And now  without further ado, please welcome Rose Lerner! First things first: A thief hero! From Robin Hood to Megan Whalen Turner’s Eugenides, I adore a good rogue. What made you decide to make Ash a con man, and do you have a few of your own favorite fictional thieves? Me too! I've always been especially fascinated by the skill/craft...

I haven't seen any Broadchurch yet, but I giggled my way through this absolutely on point narration. Because David Tennant.

I always curl up with several rereads at the end of a year, and as I revisit old friends I look forward to and anticipate all the lovely new titles to come in the new year. And now that it's actually here, it is time for my 2015 Must Be Mine list:  And no covers (or titles in a couple of cases) yet on these, but I cannot wait:   Tell the Wind and Fire by Sarah Rees Brennan The Shameless Hour by Sarina Bowen The Raven Cycle #4 by Maggie Stiefvater The Elemental Trilogy #3 by Sherry Thomas The Unlikely Adventures of Veronica Speedwell by Deanna Raybourn Carry On by Rainbow Rowell The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah MacLean And you and the coming year? Which titles are giving you grabby hands?